Molecular Characterization of Pneumococcal Surface Protein A (PspA), Serotype Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Isolated from Pakistan

• DOI: 10.1007/s40121-018-0195-0
• Publication Date: 2018-03-09T09:07:15Z
• Authors: Faidad Khan; Mohsin Ahmad Khan; Nadeem Ahmed; Muhammad Islam Khan; Hamid Bashir; Saad Tahir; Ahmad Usman Zafar
• Keywords: Pneumococcal pneumonia; Pneumolysin

Pakistan has one of the highest burdens pneumococcal diseases in world, but unfortunately studies this demanding research area are limited region. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is next generation vaccine candidate as locates on Streptococcus pneumoniae surface. Its gene, pspA, might be encoded by all pneumococci, and proven immunogenicity. The molecular characterization PspA, serotype distribution antibiotic susceptibility important for regional diversity studies.In study, we examined 38 isolates from diseased (pneumonia/meningitis) patients blood or cerebrospinal fluid. There were no specific inclusion exclusion criteria, individuals [ages 1 month to 12 years (male/female)] had undergone treatment at least past 3 months vaccination history. We investigated distribution, susceptibility, prevalence PspA family its active domain's fusion, expression antigenicity.Our finding shows that 19F most prevalent (23.6%) followed 18B (15.78%) (non-vaccine type) isolated strains. All strains susceptible chloramphenicol linezolid, while 80% resistant gentamycin. Genotyping revealed ~ (N = 31/38) produce belonging 2 clade 3. further selected three domains (family 3) silico analysis, merged together into a fusion gene antigenicity was analyzed Western blotting.Serotypes Pakistani isolates. proteins produced have high sequence homologies with each other differ those rest world. peptide antigenic response western blotting, considerable correlation among serotypes, family/clade distribution.